Chocolate Banana Muffins

I went back to Basildon last Friday for Christmas & to help in my mum's takeaway.

Although there's no college to work for, I still work hard in baking.

My mum promised to give boxes of cookies to her colleagues.

So, I was very busy in baking cookies.

Well, I did have sometimes to bake some muffins for my breakfast.

Recipe:

100g unsalted butter

200g self-rising flour

2 eggs

100g sugar

110g banana

1/4 cup milk

30g chocolate chips

1/2 tsp vanilla essence

Beat the softened butter with sugar until smooth.

Add one egg at a time and then beat until smooth.

Blend the banana and milk together, then add it into the batter, mix well.

Fold in the flour until smoothl.

Add chocholate chips and mix well.

Bake at 180'C in a preheated oven for 25-30 min.

X'mas Events

I'm now working in my research project, there're about 15 people in the group.

We had a group X'mas lunch last Wed near Paddington station.

It's a nice restaurant, great foods & atmosphere.

We then headed to the pub called The Victoria for a drink.

Well, I don't drink alcohols, so soft drink...

I had another X'mas baking night next day with my friends.

I tried the recipe of chocolate pot de crème I found online.

Although I amended the recipe slightly, it's absolutely delicious!

Only one bite will transport you to the heaven!!!

Chocolate Lava Cake

On Wednesday, I celebrated my birthday with my uni colleagues.

Elaine cooked the dinner & then we baked these cakes for the desserts.

The dinner & cake was delicious.

We all have a great time & fun together.

Today is my birthday~~~

I went back to Basildon on Friday.

So I celebrated my birthday again but with my family this time.

My sister baked me a birthday cake in coffee favour, yummy~~~~

I've received a lot of greetings from my friends & family.

Thanks!!!

Lemon Honey Cake

I've been addicted to baking recently although I'm not a big fan of cakes.

I bake cakes or biscuits out of new recipes almost every weekend.

I also bake muffins on Sundays for breakfast...

I'm also feeding my colleagues with the extra muffins so I'll feel less guilty ^__^

At the same time, I'm working on my jewelry for my new website.

I think I'm going to launch it in 1 month time (hopefully)...

I baked this cake in the morning.

My mum asked me to bake some chocolate almond cookies.

But I preferred to bake this as it's nice & easy.

She can't even wait until it cooled & ate almost half of the cake!

Recipe:

100g unsalted butter

200g self-rising flour

2 eggs

40g sugar

4 tbsp honey

2 tbsp lemon juice
40ml milk

Method:

1. Butter (softened) + sugar, beat until smooth.

2. Add eggs & mix well.

3. Add honey & lemon juice, mix well.

4. Add flour & stir well.

5. Add milk into the paste & mix well.

6. Bake at 180'C in a preheated oven for 25-30 min.

Tiramisu~~recipe

I can't remember how many times I've made this tiramisu

But it's the 1st time Christie, Elaine & Dorothy have tried it.

They all love it, so I think I should post the recipe here.

Recipe:

Mascarpone cheese 125g

Marshmallow (original flavour) 60g

Milk 60ml

Ladyfingers

Cocoa powder

Rum 1 tsp

Instant coffee 1 tsp

Method:

1. Mascarpone cheese softened & beaten.

2. Add rum in strong coffee (1 tsp of coffee in 30ml of hot water).

3. Lightly dip ladyfingers in the coffee & then put it in a container.

4. Add 2 tbsp of milk to the marshmallows & mix well. Cover with cling film & microwave about 20-30 sec, stir well.

5. Add milk into the marshmallow paste & mix well.

6. Add mascarpone to the paste & mix well.

7. Pour the mix on top of the ladyfingers.

8. Cover with film & cool in fridge for 3-4 hours.

9. Sieve cocoa powder on top before serving.

My mum has baked the cinnamon apple cake early this week.

She said it wasn't as good as the one I baked, too wet...

So, I amended the recipe.

Cinnamon Apple Cake

I have too many apples in my fridge.

So, I thought it's a good idea to bake some apple muffins.

After the success of those muffins, I baked this cake during weekend.

My mum loves this, she had 2 slices once the cake was slightly cooled down.

I personally think it's a bit sweet, but everyone else think it's alright.

Hmm... I think it's successful ^_____^

Will make some muffins later for breakfasts.

Recipe:

A: 2 apples (peeled, cored & chopped) 

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

20g sugar

2 eggs

100g butter (unsalted)

200g self-raising flour

80g sugar

1/4 tsp vanilla essence

20ml milk

Method:

1. Cook A until medium wet - dry, set aside.

2. Butter (softened) + sugar, beat until smooth.

3. Add eggs & mix well.

4. Add flour, vanilla essence & milk, mix well.

5. Add A & mix well.

8. Bake at 180'C for 25 - 30 min.

Free Weekend~~~

It was Commemoration Day last Wednesday.

I've met all my friends graduating this year.

Jessie & Lucy still in UK studying, but Lan has gone back to Canada.

We'll have less chances to meet again.

Wish they all have a bright future.

I went out to Docklands having a lunch with my mum & friends.

One of them, Lai is going back to Malaysia on Tuesday.

We'll probably meet again when I go back there.

Might be next summer...

I've been thinking about that.

Should I have another placement or a holiday?

Hmm............

Boring day~~~

I don't have any lecture today so I got up late this morning.

Then, I stay in my room all day.

I was working on my research proposal but got very bored with that.

I've to hand in my proposal next Friday, still have some times.

This is one of the necklaces my mum ordered from me.

I think this is great & easy to make.

So, it would be a lovely gift for anyone.

My brother has launched his photography's website.

His photos are great, take a look.

I think the landscapes portfolio is the best.

He always travels to take some photos when he has spare times.

Not like me, I just stay at home working with my jewelry.

Wholemeal Sesame Cookies

As my colleagues, Sue & Doug like the cookies I made last week which was the black sesame cookies.

I baked another batch of cookies yesterday for them.

But I didn't have any black sesame powder so I tried another recipe.

This recipe is healthier because it uses less sugar & wholemeal flour.

Well, this is not as tasty as the previous ones but better for the health.

Recipe:

1 egg

100g butter (unsalted)

120g plain flour

30g corn flour

50g wholemeal flour

90g sugar

1/2 tsp bp

3 tsp black sesame seeds

Method:

1. Butter (softened) + sugar, beat until smooth. 

3. Add egg & mix well.

4. Add flours, bp & black sesame seeds & mix well.

5. Roll into small sized balls, place 5 cm apart, flatten slightly.

8. Bake at 170'C for 15 - 20 min.

Autumn's Fall

Photo taken by Cheong

My college has started  *___*

Although there are less lecture courses than last year, I've to start thinking what to do after my degree.

PhD or a job?

I think I'm more likely to apply for a PhD, maybe in my college.

Have a project proposal to hand in on 24th, so busy researching.

 I though I might have sometimes for my crafts but I don't think so now T___T

Well, I think at least 2 weeks I'm not making any jewelry, so might not renew my blog so often.

When I made this bracelet weeks ago, it's cold & raining.

Now it's sunny & a bit chilly.

My brother took the photo for me, he's launching his professional photography website soon.

I haven't seen his website but I've seen most of his photos.

They're great!

Can't wait to see the website.

Black Sesame Cookies

I've baked some black sesame cookies on Saturday.

It's very tasty but a bit sweet to me.

I think I'll reduce the sugar next time if I bake it again although my family said it's alright.

I'm now baking muffins for my breakfast.

I can't believe I can keep it up, this is the 3rd week I'm having muffins.

Well, I try not to have the same favour every time.

Back to college tomorrow~~~ end of holiday -____-

Recipe:

1 egg

100g butter (unsalted)

190g plain flour

120g sugar (reduced to 110g might be better)

soda 1/2 tsp

70g black sesame seeds

Method:

1. Grind 40g black sesame seeds into powder.

2. Butter (softened) + sugar, beat until smooth. 

3. Add egg & mix well.

4. Add sieved plain flour, soda & black sesame powder & mix well.

5. Add 30g of black sesame seeds & mix well.

6. Put it in the fridge for 30 min.

7. Roll into small sized balls, place 5 cm apart, flatten slightly.

8. Bake at 170'C for 15 - 20 min.

I didn't grind the black sesame seeds, instead I got it from a Japanese grocery shop called Rice Wine Shop in Soho.

The black sesame seeds can be replaced with the white ones because it's available in most supermarkets.

Well, I tried this recipe before with almond powder (60g) & white sesame seeds (20g).

I forgot to take a photo before eating it all.

It tasted the same, but I forgot to reduce the sugar this time when I used black sesame seeds.

Graduation gift 3

I've finally finished all the graduation gifts.

I got the idea from the magazine I just bought.

The design is very simple, just a single chain but it can be worn in different ways.

  I think I might make another ones using other stones.

Seiko has gone back to Japan yesterday.

I baked her some lavender muffins before she left as she loves lavender.

She said she'll remember me every time she smells lavender.

She likes my baking, so give me a sense of achievement ^___^

Graduation gift 2

Although I had a week off in Basildon with my family, I wasn't very free.

I've made some jewelries during the week.

Plus, I've received some books including the beads magazines I ordered online.

So, I was busy reading them.

Then, I went to London Fashion Weekend on Thursday with my brother.

My brother wanted to try on taking some fashion photos for catwalk.

It's a small show, plus I don't have much fashion sense, so not much to talk about.

There were some stalls selling jewelry, so I did get some ideas.

I know there's a bead fair today in Harrow, but I didn't go.

I've been to the show before, but I think it's always cheaper to get the beads & stones online.

Instead I went to Docklands having lunch with my family in a China restaurant by the river.

I'll work on the last graduation gift (3 in total) tomorrow.

I also receive a special order from my mother, 2 necklaces for her friends.

So, I've to work on the Christmas specials later.

End of the Placement

Photo taken by Sei-Him Cheong

My 12-week placement had finally finished today.

So, I made the necklace to Verity & a pair of keychains to Chris.

They are very nice & take care of me during the placement.

It's such a great experience for me to work in Arrow.

But, it's also great that I can finally have 2-week off before my uni starts.

During these times, I would try finish working on the graduation gifts.

I then maybe start designing for the Christmas specials which is my next crafts-making project.

Lavender Cookies~ (recipe)

It's my last week in Arrow.

I think maybe I should bake a cake or something to thank them.

So I baked some lavender cookies & a honey cake for my colleagues.

I'm pleased that they like it.

I promised to give the recipe to Verity, so I think I should also post it here.

I've baked lavender cookies many times.

It's one of my favourite cookies.

Recipe:

80g icing sugar

100g unsalted butter

200g plain flour

50g corn flour

1 tsp baking powder

2 tbsp dried lavender

Infuse lavender in hot water, then drain away the water.

Butter (softened) + sugar, beat until smooth.

Sift plain flour & corn flour in & mix well.

Add the lavender & mix well.

Wrap with plastic film & refrigerate for 30 min.

Roll into small sized balls, place 5 cm apart, flatten slightly.

Bake at 180'C in preheated oven for 15-20 min.

Gifts~美欣，生日快乐~

Sunny & nice weather today.

But I didn't go out, just stay in my room working on the bead crafts.

All of these are for my friends in Malaysia.

I have no ideas what to make, so I make these bead wraps again.

But I have used more kinds of stones this time.

Tiger eye, blue howlite, fluorite, calcite etc...

今天是美欣的生日，又老一岁了，呵呵！
最近有点怀念我，美欣还有保娟读中学时三人行的生活。
现在我们都长大了，也在为各自的生活而忙碌。
我不常和她们联络，是我的错，太懒了。
她们生日时，我都会寄礼物回去。
不过有时拖太久就是了，真是抱歉了，朋友。

Green Tea Biscuits

I've made some green tea biscuits last week.

I always wanted to use the green tea powder I bought from Taiwan.

The recipe I found online doesn't use green tea powder, I think it might be a good idea to put some in.

Fortunately, it still tastes good. ^o^

Next time, I wanna try making green tea cake.

自从爱上了烤饼干后，一有空闲就会在网上找食谱。
其实烘焙是我三姐的爱好，我常叫她烤饼干给我。
可是，她是半工半读的，所以很忙。
之后我就开始自己来，我自己烤的都是少甜的。
觉得外面卖得都太甜了，现在我都不在外面买饼干了。

Recipe:

75g icing sugar

50g unsalted butter

140g plain flour

30g corn flour

1/4 tsp soda

50g milk

2 tsp green tea powder

Butter (softened) + sugar, beat until smooth.

Add milk, mix well.

Sift plain flour & corn flour in & mix well.

Add green tea powder & mix into a soft dough.

Wrap with plastic film & refrigerate for 30 min.

Roll into small sized balls, place 5 cm apart, flatten slightly.

Bake at 150'C in preheated oven for 25 min.

Choc Chip Muffins~

I made some muffins last week.

This was the 1st time to bake muffins.

I shared one with Seiko soon after I baked it.

Again, it was about 10 pm, shouldn't have eaten anything~

As I don't like to eat something sweet, such as white chocolate, caramel...

But I think it's really good as it's not too sweet, so suit my taste.

Then, I was thinking maybe I could replace brioche rolls with muffins as my breakfast.

Well, I'm always lazy, so it's just a thought~

But, I wanna make the muffins with other flavours next time.

I'm thinking of lavender, rose, orange, lemon etc.

Recipe:

100g sugar

100g butter (unsalted)

250g self-raising flour

2 eggs

1 tbsp milk

50g plain chocolate chips

Butter (softened) + sugar, beat until fluffy & smooth.

Add one egg at a time, mix well.

Stir in sifted self-rising flour.

Add milk & stir well.

Add chocolate chips & mix well.

Fill a muffin tray with paper cases, then fill each case approx. 2/3 full.

Bake at 180'C in preheated oven for 30 min.

Chinese Walnut Cookies

I already mentioned that I made some biscuits last weekend.

These were the last batch I made on Sunday night.

I like eating chinese walnut cookies so when I found an easy recipe compared to the traditional recipe, I gave it a try.

I think this wasn't as good as the one I can get from Chinatown.

But my mum said it's nice.

I think maybe I should have roasted the walnut 1st before adding to the dough & put more walnuts in.

I'll try to make some again.

Recipe:

75g icing sugar

55g butter (unsalted)

150g plain flour

1g soda in 20g water

25g whole walnut (suggest 30g or more)

1 egg (beaten) for brushing

Roast walnut in the oven at 150'C for 15 min, then grind into small chips once cool.

Butter (softened) + sugar, beat until smooth & fluffy.

Add soda + water & blend well.

Stir in sifted plain flour.

Add walnut chips & mix well.

Roll into small sized balls, place 5 cm apart, flatten slightly, then use a brush to put some egg (beaten) on top.

Bake at 180'C in preheated oven for 18 - 20 min.

Graduation gift 1

I finally started working on the graduation gift last night & got it finished today.

I'm going to make 3 necklaces as my friends (Lan, Jessie & Lucy) graduation gifts.

I have received an e-mail from Lan saying that she's coming back for the ceremony in Oct.

Previously, I thought some of them might not come back for it.

Then, I'll have to send the gifts via post.

I also baked a light lemon cheesecake although I don't like cheese today.

It's for my mother as she likes to eat cheesecake.

I have also baked some biscuits over the weekend.

My brother just said I'm mad in baking but in fact I'm not.

I just like to eat home baked cookies rather the ones sold in shelves, so I just bake my own.